A Whitchurch man has set himself the ultimate challenge of completing five events in one year for the Wales Air Ambulance.
Mike Phillips started his fundraiser in January by taking part in the Lliswerry 8-Mile Road Run and this weekend he is travelled to Italy, with his wife Rachel, as they both took on the Rome Marathon.
Mike also has the following events planned for the rest of the year; In July he will take on the Ironman 70.3 Swansea, which will see him swim 1.2 miles, cycle 56-miles and run 13.1 miles.
In September he will take part in the Wales Air Ambulance’s Cycle 100km bike ride from Cardiff to the Charity’s headquarters in Llanelli.
He will finish his final challenge in October when he runs the Cardiff Half Marathon in aid of the lifesaving Charity.
Mike who has supported the Wales Air Ambulance with previous Charity run fundraisers has set himself the fundraising target of £2,000 and has already raised an amazing £376.
Reflecting on why he wanted to support the Wales Air Ambulance, Mike said: “I regularly see the Wales Air Ambulance helicopters flying in and out of University Hospital of Wales. More often than you’d ever want to count. That alone tells you something about how vital the service is.
“I’ve seen close up when an air ambulance crew stepped in and did their work. Whether it’s a cyclist on a mountain road, a road accident, or someone in a remote community, they show up when critical care is the only thing that matters.”
Wales Air Ambulance is consultant-led, taking hospital-standard treatments to the patient and, if required, transferring them directly to the most appropriate hospital for their illness or injury. It is delivered via a unique third-sector and public-sector partnership.
The Wales Air Ambulance Charity relies on public donations to raise the £13 million required every year to keep the helicopters in the air and rapid response vehicles on the road.
The Emergency Medical Retrieval and Transfer Service (EMRTS) supplies highly skilled NHS consultants and critical care practitioners who work on board the Charity’s vehicles.
This advanced critical care includes the ability to administer anaesthesia, deliver blood transfusions and conduct minor operations, all at the scene of an incident.
As a pan-Wales service, its dedicated crews, regardless of where they are based, will travel the length and breadth of the country to deliver emergency lifesaving care.
As well as running the Rome Marathon with Mike, his wife will also be running Cardiff Half Marathon with him in October.
Mike is extremely grateful for the support he is receiving from family and friends. He added: “The moral support has been as important as the donations. Training for events at this level, marathons, a 70.3, takes up a lot of time and headspace, and the people around you either get it or they don’t. I’ve been fortunate that my family and my work team do.”
Gail Windley, Wales Air Ambulance’s Regional Fundraising Manager for the area said: “A huge thank you to Mike for not just setting himself one epic challenge in aid of our Charity but a year of challenging events that most people would shy away from.
“We’re extremely grateful that Mike has chosen to fundraise for our Charity, without support from people, like Mike, we wouldn’t be able to keep our helicopters in the air and our rapid response vehicles on the road. Every pound raised helps save lives across the country.
“We hope the rest of Mike’s challenges go well. Thank you also to his wife Rachel for running with him and his friends and family for supporting him throughout the year. You’re all playing a part in saving lives across Wales.”
You can show your support to Mike by donating to his fundraising page
IRONMAN 70.3 Swansea 2026 – Wales Air Ambulance | Mike Phillips
